Unchanged Not an Option
“The demands of the work are greater than any man may assume in his own strength. The requirements of the work greatly stretch him. He cannot remain the same.” The Christian Counselors Manual Jay E. Adams (1973). The topic of the book as the name suggest is counseling but when I read this sentence all I heard screaming was: The demands of this disease are greater than any man may assume in his own strength! The requirements of the disease stretch him! He cannot remain the same! That day I learned never a truer statement will be written.
Giving us the dreadful news that September morning, the doctor uncorked the bitter taste of CANCER, and filled our glass to the brim. My spiritual side instantly went to God in prayer but the emotional side started yelling No, No, No!! Not my little girl! The one that stood by my bed at 3 years old with her arms up saying “Me, Me” because she couldn’t climb on the bed with her daddy. My little MeMe with the utterance of one word “cancer” would now grow up in an instant. The lessons flooding in without choice teaching the importance of fighting in the spiritual realm as well as the flesh. We left the room that morning with a firm decision, we would fight in such a way to ensure God Gets The Glory.
Stretched For His Glory
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Mt 26:39
Jesus prayed this in the garden but not in defiance of God yet in agreement that God’s will was in everyone’s best interest. This is the prayer we now pray for our family. Not in defiance of God but in agreement that His will is the best, while also asking, if there is any other way. There are times when God’s will is the best even though it hurts. In this life we will never see what God is protecting us from, or who God is helping, when we go through the trials.
An MRI late Sunday shows tumors have grown in Jenna’s brain (03-05-18) and they cannot be treated. After a long discussion and many questions there are no treatments, trials, or test that will help. Doc said it is only a matter of time before she goes home to be with our Jesus. After letting Jenna know the outcome of the scans many difficult discussions took place. What will it be like when I start to crossover? Will I be able to see you and mama? What is Heaven really like? Why do we still pray if I am going to die? Will I get a new body and walk again? I will miss hearing you pray. I am scared. All of these were discussed openly and answered to the best of our ability which seems very inadequate at the moment.
She is scared and trying as best she can at 14 years old to understand what going to Heaven really means. We all prayed and discussed the glory of our Heavenly Father and the streets of gold. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye she will be with our Lord. The last 6 months of unending pain will be over. She was at ease as she fell asleep and this has to be God’s comfort at work.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Are Emotions Ok?
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15
During the last update we struggled with how to explain emotions and what they mean to us as humans. The thought behind this is why can’t we give God our emotions. Wouldn’t that make life easier never going through the emotions required by circumstances? We pondered for awhile on what this would mean for us as well as those around us. If we could give them all to God we wouldn’t be able to empathize the way we should for others comfort. Ceasing to love as Jesus loves and void of caring interaction for those in pain. So as you read this and interact in the situation it is okay to cry and laugh but always remember that God has control of eternity and emotions make us real.
We are emotional beings and as such can feel others pain. Not only can we empathize we can also decide if we want to be apart of the situation. This is the free will God gave us to serve Him or not. As we grow and learn to serve God properly we hurt and rejoice with each other. Communities around the world have empathized with our family since the beginning of this journey and it has filled our hearts with love. During one of our discussions with Jenna it came up that the only way to travel through this journey was to love others the way Jesus loves us.
Continue to Pray
We appreciate everything and ask that you continue praying for our family. There is no estimate as to when God will take our little girl home. Homecoming could be today or six months from now it is in God’s hands. We wait.
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I learned of your family’s journey just today and wanted to tell you that it was EXACTLY what God wanted me to find today. Today was a sad day for our family as we made the decision that we must put our beloved golden retriever down next week because of cancer. We also have recently learned that the doctors can do nothing more to treat the heart disease in my husband’s diabetic heart. We have not idea if my husband will live 6 days, 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years. As Christians, we have truly felt blessed by God for being married for 43 years and though Satan has tried many times to pull us apart, we have committed to being a Christian family and took our wedding vows seriously. Learning to love and forgive is hard. Learning to lean on God is so hard as well. I have had to learn to lean on God throughout so many decisions in the last few months. Thank you for sharing your family’s story. Through your sharing, I am encouraged that God is with me, my husband, and even our golden retriever, and truly cares that our hearts are breaking. We truly want God to get the glory for all of this as well. I keep reminding myself of the blessings He has given us over the years and it gives me strength to carry on. Your blog and your story of the struggles you have had as you have dealt with Jenna’s cancer is such a blessing as you share in the struggles I have had. Our God is an awesome God and though we don’t understand why cancer and heart disease exist and take our loved ones too soon, we trust and know that our God is so loving and giving and will NEVER leave us to go through this on our own. My prayer is that you will continue to lean on God and that you and your family will truly feel God with you each and every time you need to face another challenge. I could not go through my husband’s health problems without my faith and I pray you feel the love and support of so many prayers being sent for God to be with you and provide for you abundantly.
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I am so sorry for the struggles you are facing but God will sustain you through everything. God knows and feels our pain He will see us through. The emotions that come with it allows us to have empathy one for another. God Bless You.
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Brett, Becky, and Jenna, it is times like this we start to question God as to why bad things happen to good people and for that question I don’t think there is an answer right now. I find myself getting angry, and upset because this should not be happening. In my human mind there is no reason for it but I am only human so what do I know. I know I love God and He loves me and because of that I will one day be in heaven with Him so I guess I have to rest in that knowledge. I do know that hundreds if not thousands of people have been forever touched by this sweet niece of mine and one person is me. I love you Jenna. I am so sorry we didn’t spend more time getting to really know your quiet self better. Your love for God and your strength through this is imprinted in my heart forever. I will stay JENNA STRONG FOREVER!!
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The question of why and being angry are ones that many people ask when faced with not only our situation but others that surround us. Not sure I know the answer except if I believe one word of the Bible I must believe them all. With that being said God will not let me down and He will use this for the good of others even though it hurts it will be profitable. We love y’all and it is so great to have the support to get through this event.
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We love y’all and we are praying for our precious Jenna everyday. We pray for the whole family to have comfort and the strength to go Day to day.
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Thank you Ms. Gloria, We have been humbled by all of the love and support and also have learned to only face one minute at the time. I told Jenna and Becky not to look back as the memories are painful in light of the situation but also don’t look to far forward as God has the future and we can’t worry about what happens.
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Awake praying for faith, peace, comfort, and healing. Our God is generous and He is close to you. May your faith in this horrible pain be a tool He uses to save many others who would otherwise perish. You are loved.
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Amen brother thank you for the kind words.
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Prayers goes out to yal. God makes no mistakes even has humans we don’t understand but he always has a plan
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I am praying for your precious baby. I sometimes get overwhelmed at the thought of Christ dying on the cross. The agony his mother went through as she watched. And also, God himself weeping. I pray for strength for your family and peace for sweet Jenna. I am so sorry that you are going through this.
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Thanks Ms. Stacey, It is hard to imagine a God that would love us so much as messed up as we are but He chose to save us anyway. Therefore we must love others that seem unlovable and lead them to the saving grace that God gave us through Jesus Thank you.
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Early this morning I awoke praying for Jenna and your family….I spoke to Nancy and would like to help with meals but she said they were already 2 weeks in advance. Just know my heart felt prayers are with you and your family..You and Becky and Jenna ‘s faith has impressed so many people and brought me and many more to a place where we want more faith jn Chrisr. Your journey through this is bringing people to a crossroads in their lives that will change lives forever. I will keep you and your family ever in my prayers daily. Love and Prayers
Ms. Dianne Taylor (Mary’s Mom)
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We all should be seeking more faith in God and His path for us. I thought my faith was fairly deep until this occurred and I now realize we can always go deeper in our walk with Christ as His ways are higher than ours.
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Becky, My heart heart is aching for you and your precious family. I continue to pray for your beautiful daughter, Jenna. My prayers are for all of your comfort and strength. I encourage you to hold tight to your faith for God is in control. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and let you know just how much I care. Sending you love and prayers during this difficult time. Always, Paula
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Brett and Becky, I get up each day with the thought of Jenna and her journey “HOME”. My thoughts also go to both of you and my prayers begin. Larry and I have been so amazed at the great faith and hope that you both continue to maintain in this most difficult time. My heart is with all of you in knowing that God has a plan. Truly, your great walk during this painful time has many of us, as merely bystanders humbled and gives us tremendous faith and hope as well. We continue to pray and know that God has brought comfort and peace to not only Jenna and your family but many others who have been traveling this road with all of you. i love and sincerely trust that the hope of
Christ’s peace will remain to strengthen all of you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Connie Christy
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Thank you Ms. Connie your thoughts and prayers along with the others are sustaining us through this tough time. The god that we serve always uses these type of issues to draw us closer as the church. We love y’all.
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Dear Becky, Brett, and Jenna,
I just saw this blog today and I am praying for all of you! I worked with Becky in Barnwell and know what a wonderful person she is! From reading what you’ve written , Brett I can see your faith and great strength! And Jenna is a beauty inside and out! Freverently praying. Love u Becky!
Linda Adams
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Thank you for the thoughts and prayers they mean so much to us in this time. God has been so gracious providing support in ways we didn’t even know we needed. He is also showing us how to live minute by minute. Thanks Again.
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praying for your family
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Thank you that is the most valuable thing anyone can do for us at this point.